Eddie Jones has been told he can forget winning next year's World Cup unless his England side end their losing slump on their summer tour in South Africa.

A third straight Six Nations defeat brought Grand Slam glory for visitors Ireland and a fifth-place finish for boss Jones' deposed champions — plus both barrels from their former boss, Sir Clive Woodward.

“I’ve been Eddie’s biggest fan – I like him a lot – but I’m also an ex-England player, ex-England coach and now an England fan,” said Woodward, who coached the Red Rose to 2003 World Cup triumph.

England finished above only Italy, who lost all their five matches (Image: Action Images via Reuters)

Jones' reigning champions had been chasing a rare hat-trick of titles (Image: EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

“It has been hugely frustrating seeing what I have been seeing over the last few weeks. It’s not just losing, we haven’t been firing any shots. We haven’t even been close, if I’m honest.”

Woodward says England, who had won 24 of 25 Tests under Jones before losing to Scotland, France and the Irish, now need “strong characters and strong thinking”.

What he sees are players who are “out on their feet” as a result of a Lions tour last summer and being flogged subsequently by club and country.

Boss Jones must now lick his wounds before June's three Test series in South Africa (Image: Getty)

Woodward delivered the 2003 World Cup — how will England do at next year's version? (Image: Getty)

“They just looked tired,” he told 5Live’s Sportsweek programme. “And the big scary thing is they go to South Africa [in June] for three matches where they are going to get one big, big warm welcome.

“So, stop talking about World Cups.

“You will only win a World Cup if you arrive in really good shape and with really good momentum. Focus on your next game.